A gentle, tranquil walk from Southwold to Walberswick and back. Starting and finishing at the water tower and car park on Southwold common.
This beautiful, peaceful area is also an important SSSI (1993 Site of Special Scientific Interest). There are over 300 acres of marshland to enjoy, supporting a rich variety of flora and fauna. Many aquatic and marsh plants can be found and flowers such as sea pea, sea holly and yellow tree lupin.
If you visit over winter you can see wintering geese, waders and even waterfowl such as Bewick’s swans who overwinter from Siberia. We visited in June when the sights of swifts and sounds of skylarks were a joy and cattle were grazing contentedly in the marshes.
From the car park we followed the quiet lane past the water tower towards Southwold harbour. Alternatively, you could take the footpath which crosses the golf course to the left.
Following the lane you pass the tennis court and cafe on the right. There are lovely views over the marshes surrounding you.
You soon approach the harbour and the River Blyth. we took the path to the right by the Harbour Inn garden just before the harbour which leads directly to the footbridge over the river Blyth.
There are shops, cafes and toilets at Walberswick. The Bell is a popular pub with a lovely beer garden. We enjoyed refreshments at the gift shop cafe and there is also a tea room. From here you can also follow the path through the dunes to the beach or visit the bridge which is famous for crabbing.
After our break at Walberswick we took the boat to cross the river back to Southwold Harbour for a small fee of £2.
Once you reach the harbour turn right. There are two options here. You can take the footpath marked Sandlings walk (part of the 59 mile trail between Ipswich and Southwold) through the marshes just before the caravan site or walk past the caravan site and take the route close to the dunes.
If you have time you can visit the beach and lovely cafe at Gunhill take the steps on your right then turn right cross over the road at the toilets.
Alternatively continue passed the steps and take the footpath on the left.
This will lead you through to Southwold common and to the carpark at the watertower.
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